Manchester City vs Liverpool Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a humiliating defeat against Los Blancos with Mbappe’s hattrick.

In the vibrant heart of Manchester, where the storied River Irwell winds through a city steeped in footballing history, Matchweek 26 of the Premier League culminates in a blockbuster showdown at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City and Liverpool lock horns in a thrilling clash.

Manchester City are reeling from a humiliating defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, which saw them crashing out of the competition at an unexpectedly early stage. Their Premier League campaign has also been far from their usual dominant standards, yet recent improvements have propelled them to 4th place in the table.

As they prepare to face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s men will be determined to bounce back and reclaim their winning form. A victory would not only restore their confidence but also allow them to leapfrog Nottingham Forest into 3rd place, keeping their title hopes alive in a highly competitive season.

See you at the Etihad! 👊🤝 #AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/qNuZl5ulDv

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2025

Liverpool, under Arne Slot, have been one of the most dominant forces in the Premier League this season, suffering just a single defeat. With 61 points and an impressive eight-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, they are edging ever closer to reclaiming the league title.

As they prepare to face Manchester City, Liverpool will aim to maintain their ruthless form and capitalise on City’s recent struggles following their Champions League exit. With confidence soaring and momentum firmly in their favour, the Reds will look to extend their dominance and take another crucial step toward Premier League glory.

Kick-off:

• Location: Manchester, England
• Stadium: Etihad Stadium
• Date: Sunday, 23 February
• Kick-off Time: 4:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT / 10:00 PM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Manchester City (in all competitions): L-W-L-W-L

Liverpool (in all competitions): D-W-D-L-W

Players to watch out for:

Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)

Ilkay Gundogan, the 34-year-old German midfield maestro from Gelsenkirchen, has made a sensational return to Manchester City for a second stint after a brief spell with FC Barcelona. A key figure in City’s golden era, he has amassed over 200 appearances and netted 44 goals, solidifying his reputation as a midfield orchestrator with impeccable vision and control.

✈️🇪🇸 #CmonCity 🩵@ManCity | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/4jfxn9oy6Y

— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) February 18, 2025

With Manchester City reeling from their premature UEFA Champions League exit, Gündogan’s experience and composure will be instrumental in stabilizing the midfield. As they prepare for a crucial clash against Liverpool, his leadership and tactical intelligence could be the catalyst City need to regain control and dictate the tempo of the game.

Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)

Ibrahima Konaté, the 25-year-old French centre-back from Paris, honed his skills at RB Leipzig before making a high-profile move to Liverpool in 2021. Since joining the Reds, he has made 71 appearances, recently netting his first goal for the club. His commanding presence in defence has solidified his importance in Arne Slot’s backline.

Big win to start the #UCL campaign! Happy to score tonight and help the team! 💪🏿🔴 @LFC pic.twitter.com/dRjfUzELQT

— Ibrahima Konate (@IbrahimaKonate_) September 17, 2024

On the international stage, Konaté has earned 21 caps for France, playing a pivotal role in their defensive setup. He was part of the Les Bleus squad that finished as runners-up in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and contributed to Liverpool’s FA Community Shield triumph in 2022.

Match Facts:

• The reverse fixture saw the Reds winning by 2-0.
• Mohammed Salah has scored 12 times against City.
• Ian Rush is the all-time highest goalscorer in this fixture with 15 goals.

Man City vs Liverpool: Betting Tips and Odds:

• Match to end in a draw – 11/4 with bet365
• Erling Haaland to score first – 4/1 with William Hill
• Man City 2-2 Liverpool- 17/2 with Paddypower

Injuries and Team News:

For Man City, Manuel Akanji and Rodri are set to miss the upcoming game.

For Liverpool, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton will be absent due to injury concerns.

Head To Head stats:

Total matches – 193

Man City won – 52

Liverpool won – 91

Matches drawn – 50

Predicted Lineup:

Manchester City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Ederson (GK); Lewis, Kushanov, Stones, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Savio, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Alisson (GK); Trent Alexander, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Szoboszlai; Jota

Match Prediction:

Man City would be hungry for a victory after a humiliating exit from the Champions League. Looking at Liverpool’s ambition to retain the top spot, we expect this fixture to culminate in a high-scoring draw.

Prediction: Man City 2-2 Liverpool

Telecast Details:

India: Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar

UK: Sky Sports, TNT Sports

USA: NBC Sports

Nigeria: SuperSport, NTA, Sporty TV

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.